Energy storage module

ABSTRACT

An energy storage module includes: a cover member including an internal receiving space configured to accommodate battery cells each including a vent; a top plate coupled to a top of the cover member and including ducts respectively corresponding to the vents of the battery cells; a top cover coupled to a top portion of the top plate and including discharge holes located in an exhaust area and respectively corresponding to the ducts; and an extinguisher sheet located between the top cover and the top plate, and configured to emit a fire extinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a certain temperature, and the top cover includes protrusion parts located on a bottom surface of the top cover, covering the exhaust area, and coupled to an exterior of the ducts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2019-0110364, filed on Sep. 5, 2019 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an energystorage module.

2. Description of the Related Art

An energy storage module may be linked with a renewal energy and powersystem, such as, for example, a solar cell, to store electric power whendemand for the electric power from a load is low, and to use (ordischarge or provide) the stored electric power when demand for theelectric power is high. The energy storage module generally includes (oris) an apparatus including a large number of battery cells (e.g.,secondary batteries or secondary battery cells).

The battery cells are generally received (or accommodated) in multipletrays, which are received in a rack, and multiple racks are received ina container box.

Recently, there have been many cases in which fires occur to energystorage modules. Once a fire occurs to the energy storage module, it isnot easy to extinguish the fire due to characteristics of the energystorage module. An energy storage module, including a plurality ofbattery cells, generally demonstrates high-capacity high-outputcharacteristics, and research into technology for increasing the safetyof the energy storage module is being actively conducted.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, anenergy storage module having improved safety is provided. According toanother aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an energystorage module exhibiting a reduced fire risk and increased safety byreducing or minimizing the chance of a fire spreading to adjacentbattery cells when a fire occurs is provided.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, anenergy storage module includes a cover member comprising an internalreceiving space configured to accommodate battery cells each comprisinga vent; a top plate coupled to a top of the cover member and comprisingducts respectively corresponding to the vents of the battery cells; atop cover coupled to a top portion of the top plate and includingdischarge holes located in an exhaust area and respectivelycorresponding to the ducts; and an extinguisher sheet located betweenthe top cover and the top plate, and configured to emit a fireextinguishing agent at a temperature exceeding a certain temperature,wherein the top cover includes protrusion parts located on a bottomsurface of the top cover, covering the exhaust area and, and coupled toan exterior of the ducts.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include opening holeslocated to respectively correspond to the ducts.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include a receiving spacereceiving a fire extinguishing agent within an external case made ofpolyurea and polyurethane.

In an embodiment, the receiving space may include one or more capsulesor tubes.

In an embodiment, the fire extinguishing agent may include a halogencarbon compound.

In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet may include different types ofsheets configured to emit the fire extinguishing agent at differenttemperatures.

In an embodiment, a ratio of the fire extinguishing agent in theextinguisher sheet may be from 30% to 50%.

In an embodiment, an amount of the fire extinguishing agent in theextinguisher sheet may be from 0.12 g/cm³ to 0.82 g/cm³.

In an embodiment, the top cover may further include an inclined parthaving a thickness gradually increasing toward the protrusion part inthe exhaust area.

In an embodiment, a top end of the duct may be lower than the inclinedpart.

In an embodiment, a space may be defined between the duct and theprotrusion part, and some of the gas discharged from the vent may passthrough the duct to be discharged to the space through the inclinedpart.

In an embodiment, the duct may have an inner diameter graduallydecreasing upward.

In an embodiment, a portion of the exhaust area may extend into aninterior of the ducts.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area may have a smaller thickness than thetop cover.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area may protrude downwardly from the topcover.

In an embodiment, an area of the discharge holes may be greater than orequal to about 30% of that of the exhaust area.

As described above, according to an aspect of embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the energy storage device can primarily suppress ignition byproviding a shut-down function to a battery cell using compositions ofnegative and positive electrode active materials and can prevent orreduce heat from spreading to adjacent cells by rapidly extinguishingand cooling a battery cell when a vent of the battery cell opens (orruptures) or when a fire occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage module according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a region “A” of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the energy storage moduleshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 4 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an extinguisher sheetand a top cover in the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a top plate and a topcover in the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIG. 6A is a partial view of a rack on which a plurality of energystorage modules are coupled according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure; FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-Aof FIG. 5 ; FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-Bof FIG. 5 ; and FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of a region of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a duct according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the extinguisher sheet coupled tothe top plate of the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 ; andFIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a region “B” of FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are conceptual cross-sectional views illustrating astate in which an extinguisher sheet operates in the energy storagemodule shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIGS. 10A to 10D are views illustrating example configurations ofextinguisher sheets in the energy storage module according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of battery cells and insulation spacersarranged in a bottom plate of the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1to 3 .

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of aninsulation spacer in the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a region “C” of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an energy storage module according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of battery cells and insulation spacersmounted in the energy storage module shown in FIG. 15 .

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 15 .

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a region “D” of FIG. 17 .

FIGS. 19A and 19B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, of a battery cell to be included in an energy storagemodule according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 100, 200: Energy storage 110, 210:Cover member module 120, 220: Battery cell 130: Insulation spacer 131:Sheet part 132: Edge part 140: Top plate 141: Duct 143: Opening hole150, 150A, 150B, 150C: Fire extinguisher sheet 151: Opening hole 152,152A, 152B: Receiving space 160: Top cover

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described infurther detail. The subject matter of the present disclosure, however,may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed asbeing limited to the example (or exemplary) embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete and will convey aspects andfeatures of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the accompanying drawings, sizes or thicknesses ofvarious components may be exaggerated for brevity and clarity. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. In addition, it is to be understood that whenan element A is referred to as being “connected to” an element B, theelement A may be directly connected to the element B or one or moreintervening elements C may be present therebetween such that the elementA and the element B are indirectly connected to each other.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Asused herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural formsas well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is to befurther understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,numbers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It is to be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various members, elements, regions,layers, and/or sections, these members, elements, regions, layers,and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one member, element, region, layer, and/orsection from another. Thus, for example, a first member, a firstelement, a first region, a first layer, and/or a first section discussedbelow could be termed a second member, a second element, a secondregion, a second layer, and/or a second section without departing fromthe teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “on” or “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It is tobe further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and arenot to be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Herein, a configuration of an energy storage module according to someexample embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage module according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of aregion “A” of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of theenergy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and FIG. 4 is an explodedbottom perspective view of an extinguisher sheet and a top cover in theenergy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , an energy storage module 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may include a cover member 110, atop plate 140, an extinguisher sheet 150, and a top cover 160.

The cover member 110 may provide an internal space for receiving (oraccommodating) battery cells and insulation spacers. In an embodiment,the cover member 110 includes a bottom plate 111, an end plate 112, anda side plate 113 which together form a space for arranging the batterycells and the insulation spacers. In addition, the cover member 110 mayfix positions of the battery cells and the insulation spacers and mayprotect the battery cells from external impacts.

The top plate 140 may be coupled to a top portion (e.g., a top surfaceor a top) of the cover member 110. The top plate 140 may be coupled tothe cover member 110 while covering top portions (e.g., top surfaces) ofthe battery cells. In an embodiment, the positive electrode terminalsand negative electrode terminals of the battery cells are exposed to (orthrough) the top plate 140, and bus bars 145 are coupled to therespective terminals, thereby connecting the battery cells to oneanother in series, in parallel, or in series/parallel.

The top plate 140 includes a plurality of ducts 141 located torespectively correspond to vents, which are located on a top surface ofeach of the respective battery cells. Accordingly, the gas dischargedfrom the vents of the battery cells may move upwardly along the ducts141 of the top plate 140. The configuration and operation of the ducts141 will be described in further detail below.

The extinguisher sheet 150 is positioned between the top plate 140 andthe top cover 160. The extinguisher sheet 150 may be provided as one ormore members (or sheets) extending in a direction, for example, in alength direction of the top plate 140. In addition, the extinguishersheet 150 may include openings (e.g., opening holes) positioned torespectively correspond to the ducts 141 of the top plate 140.Accordingly, the extinguisher sheet 150 may be positioned such that theopenings therein are respectively aligned with the ducts 141 of the topplate 140. In addition, the extinguisher sheet 150 may be coupled to abottom surface 160 b of the top cover 160. Because the extinguishersheet 150 is coupled to the bottom surface 160 b of the top cover 160,the extinguisher sheet 150 may be positioned above the top plate 140.The configuration and operation of the extinguisher sheet 150 will bedescribed below in further detail.

The top cover 160 is coupled to the top portion of the top plate 140.The top cover 160 may cover the top plate 140 and the bus bar 145. Thetop cover 160 also covers the extinguisher sheet 150, which is coupledto the bottom surface 160 b of the top cover 160, thereby protecting thetop plate 140, the bus bar 145, and the extinguisher sheet 150 fromexternal impacts applied to a top surface 160 a of the top cover 160. Inaddition, the top cover 160 may include discharge openings (e.g.,discharge holes) 161. In addition, the top cover 160 may includeprotrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) 162 spaced by a distance (e.g., apredetermined distance) apart from the outer periphery of (e.g., mayextend around a periphery of) respective ones of the discharge holes161, and the protrusion parts 162 downwardly protrude from the top cover160. Openings (e.g., opening holes) 151 of the extinguisher sheet 150may be coupled to (e.g., may extend around) the exterior of therespective ones of the protrusion part 162, and the ducts 141 may becoupled to (e.g., may extend into) the interior of the respective onesof the protrusion parts 162. The discharge holes 161 may be positionedto respectively correspond to the ducts 141 of the top plate 140.Accordingly, the gases discharged from the vent of the battery cell whenthe vent ruptures may be discharged to the exterior through thecorresponding duct 141 of the top plate 140 and the correspondingdischarge hole 161 of the top cover 160. In an embodiment, the dischargehole 161 of the top cover 160 may have an appropriate size to prevent orsubstantially prevent a user's hand from contacting an internalstructure of the top cover 160.

In an embodiment, as will be further described below, a rack includes aplurality of shelves and a plurality of the energy storage modules 100accommodated on the shelves. For example, the rack may include aplurality of shelves mounted thereon to be spaced apart from oneanother, and one or more energy storage modules 100 may be accommodatedon each of the plurality of shelves. In an embodiment, a bottom surfaceof one of the energy storage modules 100 may contact a top surface ofone of the shelves, and a bottom surface of another one of the energystorage modules 100 may be positioned on a top surface of another shelfwhile being spaced a distance apart from the top surface thereof.

Herein, the coupling relationship between the duct 141 of the top plate140 and the top cover 160 in the energy storage module 100 according toan embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in furtherdetail.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a top plate and a topcover in the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . FIG. 6A is apartial view of a rack on which a plurality of energy storage modulesare coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG.6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 5 ; FIG.6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 5 ; andFIG. 6D is an enlarged view of a region of FIG. 6C. FIG. 7 is across-sectional view of a duct according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the ducts 141 located on the top plate 140respectively correspond to vents 124 a of battery cells 120, anddischarge holes 161 of the top cover 160 may be positioned torespectively correspond to the ducts 141 of the top plate 140.

In an embodiment, each of the battery cells 120 includes an electrodeassembly accommodated in a case 121 and is shaped such that a cap plate124 covers a top portion of the case 121. The electrode assembly may beconfigured by winding, stacking, or laminating a positive electrodeplate and a negative electrode plate, each having a portion coated withan active material (e.g., a coating or coated portion), in a state inwhich a separator is positioned between the positive electrode plate andthe negative electrode plate. A top portion of the case 121 may besealed by the cap plate 124. In an embodiment, the vent 124 a is locatedat approximately a center of the cap plate 124 and has a smallerthickness than other regions of the cap plate 124. In addition, firstand second electrode terminals 122 and 123, which are electricallyconnected to the electrode assembly may be positioned at opposite sidesof the cap plate 124. For the sake of convenience, in the followingdescription, the first electrode terminal 122 will be referred to as anegative electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal 123 willbe referred to as a positive electrode terminal, but the polaritiesthereof may be reversed. Occurrences of ignition of the battery cells120 may be reduced by using particular compositions of active materialsof the battery cells 120, thereby increasing safety.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the energy storage module 100 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of theenergy storage modules 100 to be coupled to a rack 10. The number of theenergy storage modules 100 may vary according to a desired capacity, andthe energy storage modules 100 may be mounted in the rack 10 and thenfixed thereto. The rack 10 may include a frame 11 defining the overallexternal shape of the rack 10 and shelves 12 at different levels of theframe 11 to support bottom portions (e.g., bottom surfaces) of theenergy storage modules 100. In FIG. 6A, two shelves 12 are shown in theframe 11 with energy storage modules 100 respectively mounted on theshelves 12, but the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers inthe illustrated embodiment.

The ducts 141 are passages through which the gas discharged through thevents 124 a of the respective battery cells 120 passes, and protrudefrom the top plate 140. In an embodiment, the duct 141 may have across-sectional shape, e.g., an elliptical shape, corresponding to thevent 124 a of each of the battery cells 120. In an embodiment, the duct141 may taper away from a bottom portion thereof with the inner diameterthereof gradually decreasing upward. In some embodiments, the duct 141may have a uniform thickness and may be inclined at an angle (e.g., apredefined angle) (a) toward the interior thereof. In an embodiment, toallow the gas to be efficiently discharged without intruding in aworking range of the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120, the angle (a)of inclination of the duct 141 may be in a range from about 1° to about3°.

In an embodiment, to effectively discharge the gas discharged throughthe vent 124 a of the battery cell 120, the duct 141 may have a heightcorresponding to that of the top cover 160. In an embodiment, a heightof the duct 141 may be in a range from 18 mm to 18.4 mm. When the heightof the duct 141 is greater than or equal to 18 mm, the gas generatedfrom the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120 can be prevented orsubstantially prevented from returning to the vent 124 a even if the gascollides with the shelf 12 after moving along the duct 141. In addition,when the height of the duct 141 is less than or equal to 18.4 mm, theshelf 12 and the duct 141 can be easily manufactured.

In an embodiment, because the duct 141 has a height corresponding tothat of the top cover 160, the gas passing through the duct 141 may movetoward the discharge hole 161 of the top cover 160.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 , a duct 141′ according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure may taper away from a bottomportion thereof with an inner diameter thereof gradually decreasingupward. In addition, the duct 141′ may be configured to have a thicknessgradually decreasing from the bottom portion thereof to a top portionthereof. In an embodiment, an interior surface of the duct 141′ may begradually upwardly inclined with an angle (e.g., a predefined angle) tothe exterior, and the exterior surface of the duct 141′ may be graduallyupwardly inclined with an angle (e.g., a predefined angle) to theinterior. In an embodiment, to allow the gas to be efficientlydischarged without intruding in a working range of the vent 124 a of thebattery cell 120, an inclination angle of the interior of the duct 141′may be in a range from about 1° to about 3°. When the inclination angleis greater than or equal to 1°, the gas generated from the vent 124 a ofthe battery cell 120 can be easily accumulated upwardly. When theinclination angle is less than or equal to 3°, rigidity of the duct 141′can be maintained and upward movement of the gas may be prevented orsubstantially prevented from being restricted by the duct 141′.

Referring to FIGS. 6B to 6D, in an embodiment, the top cover 160 mayinclude an exhaust area 161 a having a plurality of discharge openings(e.g., discharge holes) 161 located therein, protrusion parts (e.g.,protrusions) 162 located on a bottom surface of the top cover 160, andan inclined part 163 located between the exhaust area 161 a and each ofprotrusion parts 162. The exhaust area 161 a is positioned on a topportion of the duct 141 and may be defined by a region formingperipheries around the discharge holes 161. In an embodiment, theexhaust area 161 a may have a thickness D2 smaller than a thickness D1of the top cover 160 (D1>D2). In an embodiment, the thickness D2 of theexhaust area 161 a may be two thirds (⅔) of the thickness D1 of the topcover 160. In an embodiment, the thickness D2 of the exhaust area 161 amay be at least 1.0 mm. In this case, injection molding can be properlyperformed while minimizing or reducing occurrence of flames when the gasis discharged. For example, when the thickness D1 of the top cover 160is about 2.5 mm, the thickness D2 of the exhaust area 161 a may be about1.5 mm.

The gas discharged through the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120 can beexhausted through the discharge holes 161 located in the exhaust area161 a. In FIG. 6C, three discharge holes 161 are shown, but the presentdisclosure is not limited to the number in the illustrated embodiment.In an embodiment, the plurality of discharge holes 161 may have anoverall area of greater than or equal to about 30% of the exhaust area161 a, thereby facilitating exhaust performance. In an embodiment, awidth W1 of each of the discharge holes 161 may be less than 3 mm. Whenthe width W1 of the discharge hole 161 is less than or equal to 3 mm,internal flames can be prevented or substantially prevented fromspreading to the exterior and facilitating user safety by preventing orsubstantially preventing a user's hand from directly contacting thebattery cell from the exterior of the top cover 160.

The discharge holes 161 are positioned within the ducts 141, and topends of the ducts 141 are covered by the exhaust area 161 a. In someembodiments, regions of the exhaust area 161 a where the discharge holes161 are not located may extend into the interior of the ducts 141, asshown in FIG. 6C. In an embodiment, a distance D3 of the exhaust area161 a extending into the interior of each of the ducts 141 may be lessthan or equal to about 2 mm, and, in an embodiment, in a range from 1 mmto 1.5 mm.

The protrusion parts 162 protrude from the bottom surface 160 b of thetop cover 160 and are coupled to the exterior of the ducts 141. In anembodiment, the protrusion parts 162 may be shaped to respectivelycorrespond to cross-sections of the ducts 141 and may cover the exhaustarea 161 a. In an embodiment, a cross-sectional area of each of theprotrusion parts 162 is greater than that of each of the ducts 141, suchthat a space may be defined between each of the ducts 141 and each ofthe protrusion parts 162. Some of the gas discharged through the vent124 a of the battery cell 120 may collide with the exhaust area 161 apositioned above the duct 141 to then move toward the space. In anembodiment, a height D4 of each of the protrusion parts 162 may be in arange from about 2 mm to about 4 mm, and, in an embodiment, 3 mm. If theheight of the protrusion part 162 is less than 2 mm, the protrusion part162 may not be high enough to guide the gas colliding with the exhaustarea 161 a to the exterior of the duct 141. If the height of theprotrusion part 162 is greater than 4 mm, the protrusion part 162 may bepositioned excessively high, making it difficult to efficientlydischarge the gas. In an embodiment, a ratio of the height D4 of theprotrusion parts 162 to the height of the duct 141 may be in a rangefrom about 1:4 to about 1:9, and, in an embodiment, 1:6. When the ratioof the height D4 of the protrusion parts 162 to the height of the duct141 is greater than or equal to 1:4, the protrusion part 162 can bemanufactured so as to easily cover the top portion of the duct 141. Whenthe ratio of the height D4 of the protrusion parts 162 to the height ofthe duct 141 is less than or equal to 1:9, the gas passing through theduct 141 can be easily guided upwardly.

The inclined part 163 is positioned between the exhaust area 161 a andthe protrusion part 162. In an embodiment, since the exhaust area 161 ahaving a relatively small thickness is connected to the protrusion part162 in the top cover 160, the inclined part 163 is inclined. In someexamples, the inclined part 163 may be configured to have a thicknessgradually increasing toward the protrusion part 162 in the exhaust area161 a. The top end of the duct 141 is positioned at a bottom portion ofthe inclined part 163. The inclined part 163 may prevent orsubstantially prevent the gas discharged through the vent 124 a of thebattery cell 120 from penetrating into the vent 124 a. For example, evenif the gas discharged through the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120collides with the exhaust area 161 a extending into the interior of theduct 141 while upwardly moving along the duct 141, the gas may bedischarged to the exterior of the duct 141 along the inclined part 163and the protrusion part 162. Therefore, the gas can be prevented orsubstantially prevented from penetrating into the vent 124 a of thebattery cell 120, thereby improving safety of the energy storage module100. In an embodiment, the inclined part 163 may have a slope in a rangefrom about 30° to about 60°, and, in an embodiment, from about 40° toabout 50°, with respect to the exterior surface of the duct 141. Whenthe slope of the inclined part 163 with respect to the exterior surfaceof the duct 141 is greater than or equal to 30°, the gas dischargedthrough the vent 124 a is allowed to be discharged to the exterior,thereby easily preventing or substantially preventing the gas frompenetrating into the vent 124 a. When the slope of the inclined part 163with respect to the exterior surface of the duct 141 is less than orequal to 60°, the inclined part 163 can be integrated with theprotrusion part 162.

As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, if the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120ruptures, the gas moves upwardly along the duct 141, as indicated by thearrows. In FIGS. 6B and 6C, the vent 124 a remaining in the cap plate124 is shown. However, if the gas is internally generated, the vent 124a ruptures and may then be removed. In addition, after some of thedischarged gas collides with the exhaust area 161 a extending into theinterior of the duct 141, the gas moves along the inclined part 163 andthe protrusion part 162. In addition, the gas passing through the duct141 may move toward the exterior through the discharge holes 161 of thetop cover 160 positioned above the duct 141. By another shelf 12 of therack 10, which supports another energy storage module 100, the gasaccumulates between the top surface 160 a of the top cover 160 and anadjacent shelf 12. In an embodiment, a distance between the top surface160 a of the top cover 160 and the adjacent shelf 12 may be in a rangefrom about 3 mm to about 7 mm. When the distance is greater than orequal to about 3 mm, the heat generated from the energy storage module100 can be easily discharged to the exterior. When the distance is lessthan or equal to about 7 mm, a high-temperature inert gas atmosphere canbe easily created, which will be further described below.

In an embodiment, when the vent 124 a of the battery cell 120 ruptures,combustible gas having a relatively low temperature of about 170° C. isprimarily generated at an initial stage, and the inert gas having arelatively high temperature of about 600° C. is gradually generated atlater stages (e.g., at a later time). In an embodiment, when the gashaving the relatively low temperature is emitted, heat-resistant plasticmaterials constituting the top plate 140 and the top cover 160 may bemaintained without being melted. In an embodiment, the inclined part 163of the top cover 160 may prevent or substantially prevent the initiallygenerated combustible gas having a relatively low temperature from beinginduced into the vent 124 a. However, if the separator melts due to afurther increase in the internal temperature of the battery cell 120,high-temperature inert gas may be generated with flames. As describedabove, the inert gas may fill a space between the top surface 160 a ofthe top cover 160 and the adjacent shelf 12 to create an inert gasatmosphere. In addition, the inert gas may also fill the internal spaceof the duct 141, thereby preventing or substantially preventing oxygeninduction, preventing or substantially preventing flames generated inthe battery cell 120 from being propagated to neighboring battery cells120 or another energy storage module 100. In addition, the extinguishersheet 150, which is positioned under the top cover 160, may operate inresponse to the high-temperature inert gas to emit or spray the fireextinguishing agent, which will be described in further detail below.

Herein, the configuration and operation of the extinguisher sheet 150 ofthe energy storage module 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the extinguisher sheet coupled to thetop plate of the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 ; and FIG.8B is an enlarged view of a region “B” of FIG. 8A. FIGS. 9A and 9B areconceptual cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which anextinguisher sheet operates in the energy storage module shown in FIGS.1 to 3 . FIGS. 10A to 10D are views illustrating example configurationsof extinguisher sheets in the energy storage module according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the extinguisher sheet 150 may bepositioned between the top plate 140 and the top cover 160, as describedabove. As shown in FIG. 8A, the extinguisher sheet 150 may have openingholes 151 coupled to the ducts 141 of the top plate 140. Accordingly,movement of the gases through the ducts 141 may not be influenced by theextinguisher sheet 150.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the extinguisher sheet 150may operate (e.g., may emit the fire extinguishing agent) in response toheat when the inert gas having a relatively high temperature of, forexample, about 600° C., is generated. The fire extinguishing agentcontained in the extinguisher sheet 150 is emitted by (e.g., is sprayedfrom) the extinguisher sheet 150 in response to the high-temperaturegas. In addition, because a top portion of the extinguisher sheet 150 iscovered by the top cover 160, the fire extinguishing agent may bedirectionally emitted (or sprayed) in a direction away from the bottomsurface 160 b of the top cover 160. In addition, the fire extinguishingagent may reach the underlying insulation spacers through openings(e.g., fire extinguishing agent openings or opening holes) 143 locatedbetween adjacent ones of the ducts 141 of the top plate 140. In anembodiment, a fluid guide protrusion 142 may further be provided aroundthe openings 143 in the duct 141, thereby efficiently guiding themovement of the fire extinguishing agent toward the insulation spacers.As will be further described below, after reaching the insulationspacers, the fire extinguishing agent may move along surfaces of theinsulation spacers, thereby extinguishing a fire on a battery cell 120and cooling the battery cell 120.

The extinguisher sheet 150 may include any of various example types ofextinguisher sheets, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10D. For example, as shownin FIG. 10A, the extinguisher sheet 150 may include receiving parts 152for receiving (e.g., accommodating or storing) a fire extinguishingagent within an external case made of polyurea and polyurethane. In anembodiment, the receiving parts 152 of the extinguisher sheet 150 may bein forms of micro-sized capsules capable of encapsulating the internalfire extinguishing agent, which includes a halogen carbon compound, suchas, for example, a halogenated ketone based fire extinguishing agent(NOVAC). In an embodiment, as described above, the fire extinguishingcapsules forming the receiving parts 152 of the extinguisher sheet 150open (or rupture) to emit the internal fire extinguishing agent when thegas passing through the duct 141 of the top plate 140 reaches arelatively high temperature of about 600° C. In an embodiment, phasetransformation of the fire extinguishing agent may start at atemperature in a range from about 100° C. to about 200° C., and the fireextinguishing capsules may open due to the pressure applied during thephase transformation in a high temperature atmosphere of about 600° C.,such that the internal fire extinguishing agent encapsulated within thefire extinguishing capsules is emitted.

In an embodiment, a ratio of the fire extinguishing agent in theextinguisher sheet 150 may be in a range from 30% to 50%. When the ratioof the fire extinguishing agent is greater than or equal to 30%, a fireon the battery cell 120 can be appropriately extinguished during theoperation of the extinguisher sheet 150. When the ratio of the fireextinguishing agent is less than or equal to 50%, the extinguisher sheet150 may easily operate (e.g., rupture) at about 600° C.

In an embodiment, an amount of the fire extinguishing agent may be in arange from 0.12 g/cm³ to 0.82 g/cm³. When the amount of the fireextinguishing agent is greater than or equal to 0.12 g/cm³, the fireextinguishing agent contained in the extinguisher sheet 150 isappropriate for the capacity of battery cells used in the energy storagemodule 100 including the extinguisher sheet 150 so as to be able toextinguish a fire on any one of the battery cells. When the amount ofthe fire extinguishing agent is less than or equal to 0.82 g/cm³, theextinguisher sheet 150 may easily operate (e.g., rupture) at about 600°C. or higher.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10B, another example extinguisher sheet150A may include a tube-type receiving space 152A for receiving (e.g.,accommodating or storing) a fire extinguishing agent within thereceiving space 152A.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10C, another example extinguisher sheet150B may include receiving spaces 152B arranged within the extinguishersheet 150B to be spaced apart from each other by a distance (e.g., aregular distance). The receiving spaces 152B may include a plurality ofreceiving spaces to be spaced apart from one another, unlike in thetube-type extinguisher sheet 150A shown in FIG. 10B. In an embodiment,the receiving spaces 152B of the extinguisher sheet 150B may open (e.g.,rupture) responsive to only one of the battery cells 100, from which arelatively high-temperature gas is generated, to then emit the fireextinguishing agent. Therefore, when the gas is generated from theplurality of battery cells 120, a fire on a corresponding one of thebattery cells 120 can be extinguished.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10D, another example extinguisher sheet150C may have a multi-layered structure including different types oflayers. For example, the extinguisher sheet 150C may include anunderlying first extinguisher sheet 150 having capsules 152 locatedtherein, and an overlying second extinguisher sheet 150A having atube-type receiving space 152A. In an embodiment, the first extinguishersheet 150 and the second extinguisher sheet 150A may be set to operateat different temperatures. In an embodiment, the first extinguishersheet 150 and the second extinguisher sheet 150A may operate in sequenceaccording to the temperature and amount of the discharged gas. Inaddition, with such double-mode operation of the extinguisher sheet150C, the extinguisher sheet 150C may operate in sequence according tothe temperature and the time of gas generated, thereby constantlyemitting the fire extinguishing agent.

Herein, configurations and operations of the battery cells 120 andinsulation spacers 130 in the energy storage module according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of battery cells and insulation spacersarranged in a bottom plate of the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1to 3 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C ofFIG. 1 . FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration ofan insulation spacer in the energy storage module shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a region “C” of FIG. 12 .

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , in an embodiment, the battery cells 120may be alternately arranged on a top surface of the bottom plate 111 ofthe cover member 110 with the insulation spacers 130 (e.g., with theinsulation spacers 130 arranged between adjacent ones of the batterycells 120). For example, the battery cells 120 may be arranged in aplurality of columns (e.g., two columns) along the top surface of thebottom plate 111, and the insulation spacers 130 may be positionedbetween adjacent ones of the battery cells 120.

Each of the battery cells 120 includes an electrode assemblyaccommodated in a case 121. The electrode assembly may be configured bywinding, stacking, or laminating a positive electrode plate and anegative electrode plate, each having a portion coated with an activematerial (e.g., a coating or coated portion), in a state in which aseparator is positioned between the positive electrode plate and thenegative electrode plate. In an embodiment, electrode terminals 122 and123, which are electrically connected to uncoated regions (e.g.,uncoated portions) of the positive and negative electrode plates, may beexposed at an upper portion of the case 121 through the cap plate 124.The electrode terminals 122 and 123 may be referred to as a firstelectrode terminal 122 and a second electrode terminal 123,respectively, defining, for example, a negative electrode terminal and apositive electrode terminal, but the polarities thereof may be reversed.Occurrences of ignition of the battery cells 120 can be reduced by usingparticular compositions of active materials of the battery cells 120,thereby increasing safety.

Referring to FIG. 13 , the insulation spacers 130 may be positionedbetween each of (e.g., between adjacent ones of) the battery cells 120to prevent or substantially prevent the battery cells 120 fromcontacting one another, thereby maintaining the battery cells 120 in anelectrically isolated state. In an embodiment, a reference distance orspace (e.g., a predetermined distance) is maintained between each of theinsulation spacers 130 and the battery cells 120 to establish externalair passages, thereby allowing for the cooling of the battery cells 120.

The insulation spacers 130 may include a sheet part (e.g., a sheet) 131and an edge part (e.g., an edge) 132. The sheet part 131 may include aflame-retardant (or non-combustible) sheet that prevents (orsubstantially impedes) a fire from spreading to neighboring batterycells 120 and a heat-insulating sheet that prevents (or substantiallyimpedes) heat from being propagated to neighboring battery cells 120when a fire starts in any of the battery cells 120. In some embodiments,the flame-retardant sheet may include (or may be) mica, and theheat-insulating sheet may include (or may be) bio-soluble fiber ceramicpaper containing an alkaline earth metal, but the present disclosure isnot limited to these materials.

In some embodiments, an edge part 132 may be provided along peripheraledges of the sheet part 131. In an embodiment, the edge part 132 mayinclude (or may be made of) a plastic material, such as a generalpolyethylene or polypropylene, and may be coupled to edges of the sheetpart 131 by using a double injection process to fix the shape of thesheet part 131.

As described above, when a fire extinguishing agent is applied from topportions of the insulation spacers 130, the fire extinguishing agent maymove downwardly along the surfaces of the sheet part 131. Therefore, thefire extinguishing agent may contact the case 121 of the adjacentbattery cells 120, thereby performing extinguishing and coolingoperations on the battery cells 120. Herein, movement of the fireextinguishing agent will be described in further detail.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the top plate 140 may further include the openings(e.g., fire extinguishing agent openings or opening holes) 143respectively located to correspond to (e.g., located over or above) theinsulation spacers 130. Accordingly, the fire extinguishing agent, whenemitted from the extinguisher sheet 150, may pass through the top plate140 through the openings 143 of the top plate 140 to reach theinsulation spacers 130. In addition, the fire extinguishing agent maymove along surfaces of the insulation spacers 130 that face the case 121of the adjacent battery cells 120, thereby extinguishing any fire andcooling the battery cells 120. The fire extinguishing agent is emittedby the extinguisher sheet 150 located over one or more of the batterycells 120, the temperature of which is higher than a referencetemperature. Therefore, the fire extinguishing agent may be sprayed froma top portion of the battery cell 120 having an elevated temperature. Inaddition, because the fire extinguishing agent moves along the surfacesof the insulation spacers 130 positioned at front and rear sides of thecorresponding battery cell 120, both extinguishing and cooling of thecorresponding battery cell 120 can be performed.

Herein, a configuration of an energy storage module according to anotherembodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an energy storage module according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 is a perspectiveview of battery cells and insulation spacers mounted in the energystorage module shown in FIG. 15 . FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along the line D-D of FIG. 15 . FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of aregion “D” of FIG. 17 .

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18 , the energy storage module 200 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure may include a cover member210, battery cells 120, insulation spacers 130, a top plate 240, anextinguisher sheet 250, and a top cover 260.

The energy storage module 200 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may be smaller in size than the energy storage module 100described above, such that a smaller number of battery cells 120 may bereceived in a space of the energy storage module 200, which is formedtogether by the cover member 210, the top plate 240, and the top cover260, than in the energy storage module 100. Therefore, configurationsand sizes of the cover member 210, the top plate 240, and the top cover260 may vary according to the number of battery cells received therein.However, the energy storage module 200 may be basically configured in asimilar manner as the energy storage module 100.

The top plate 240 may be coupled to the cover member 210 while coveringthe top portion of the battery cell 120. The top plate 240 may include aduct 241 corresponding to the vent 124 a formed on the top surface ofeach of the battery cells 120. The duct 241 may include a plurality ofducts arranged in a direction, for example, in a length direction.

The extinguisher sheet 250 is positioned between the top plate 240 andthe top cover 260. In an embodiment, the extinguisher sheet 250 mayinclude a plurality of planar sheets located at opposite sides of theducts 241 of the top plate 240 and extending in a length direction ofthe top plate 240. The extinguisher sheet 250 may be mounted on a bottomsurface 260 b of the top cover 260. Here, the length direction may referto a direction in which the ducts 241 of the top plate 240 extend.

The top cover 260 is coupled to the top portion of the top plate 240.The top cover 260 may cover the top plate 240 and the extinguisher sheet250, thereby protecting the top plate 240 and the extinguisher sheet 250from external impacts applied to a top surface 260 a of the top cover260. In addition, the top cover 260 may include an exhaust area 262having discharge openings (e.g., discharge holes) 261 located therein,and protrusion parts (e.g., protrusions) 263. The ducts 241 may berespectively coupled to (e.g., may respectively extend into) theinterior of the protrusion parts 263. In an embodiment, each of thedischarge holes 261 may include a plurality discharge holes arranged ina direction, for example, in a length direction of the top cover 260. Inaddition, the discharge holes 261 may be positioned to correspond to theducts 241 of the top plate 240. Accordingly, if the vent 124 a of thebattery cell 120 ruptures, the gas discharged through the vent 124 a ofthe battery cell 120 may move to the exterior along the ducts 241 of thetop plate 240 and the discharge holes 261 of the top cover 260.

In an embodiment, the exhaust area 262 having the discharge holes 261has a smaller height than other regions in the top cover 260. Forexample, the exhaust area 262 is configured to downwardly protrude fromthe top cover 260 to establish a gas movement passage thereon. Theexhaust area 262 is coupled to the top portion of the duct 241. Here,the protrusion part 263 located on the bottom surface of the exhaustarea 262 is coupled to the exterior of the duct 241. In an embodiment,the duct 241 may be configured to have a smaller height than the topcover 260. With this configuration, the gas discharged through the ducts241 and the discharge holes 261 may gather in the gas movement passagelocated on the exhaust area 262. In an embodiment, the gas may bedischarged to the exterior side by using, for example, a separate fan ora suction structure (e.g., a vacuum), thereby allowing the gas generatedby the battery cells 120 to be discharged quickly.

Herein, a configuration of the battery cell 120 used in the energystorage module 100 according to an embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in further detail.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view,respectively, of a battery cell used in an energy storage moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to 19A and 19B, the battery cell 120 is configured such thatan electrode assembly 125 is accommodated in a case 121, and a cap plate124 covers a top portion of the case 121. In an embodiment, a vent 124 ahaving a smaller thickness than other regions is located approximatelyat a center of the cap plate 124. The duct 141 of the top plate 140 islocated to correspond to a top portion of the vent 124 a, as describedabove.

In an embodiment, the electrode assembly 125 may be electricallyconnected to a first electrode terminal 122 and a second electrodeterminal 123 located on the cap plate 124 through a pair of currentcollectors 126. For the sake of convenience, in the followingdescription, the first electrode terminal 122 will be referred to as anegative electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal 123 willbe referred to as a positive electrode terminal, but polarities thereofmay also be reversed.

The electrode assembly 125 may include a negative electrode 125 a, apositive electrode 125 b positioned to face the negative electrode 125a, and a separator 125 c positioned between the negative electrode 125 aand the positive electrode 125 b, and the electrode assembly 125 may beaccommodated in the case 121 together with an electrolyte (not shown).

While some example embodiments have been described to practice theenergy storage module of the present disclosure, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure as set forth by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy storage module comprising: batterycells each comprising a vent; a cover member comprising an internalreceiving space configured to accommodate the battery cells; a top platecoupled to a top of the cover member and comprising ducts eachcorresponding to the vent of a battery cell of the battery cells; a topcover coupled to a top portion of the top plate and comprising dischargeholes located in an exhaust area and corresponding to the ducts; and anextinguisher sheet located between the top cover and the top plate, andconfigured to emit a fire extinguishing agent to a space betweenadjacent battery cells of the battery cells at a temperature exceeding acertain temperature, wherein the top cover comprises protrusion partslocated on a bottom surface of the top cover, covering the exhaust area,and each coupled to an exterior of a corresponding duct of the ducts. 2.The energy storage module of claim 1, wherein the extinguisher sheetcomprises opening holes located to respectively correspond to the ducts.3. The energy storage module of claim 1, wherein the extinguisher sheetcomprises a receiving space receiving a fire extinguishing agent withinan external case made of polyurea and polyurethane.
 4. The energystorage module of claim 3, wherein the receiving space comprises one ormore capsules or tubes.
 5. The energy storage module of claim 4, whereinthe fire extinguishing agent comprises a halogenated carbon compound. 6.The energy storage module of claim 1, wherein the extinguisher sheetcomprises different types of sheets configured to emit the fireextinguishing agent at different temperatures.
 7. The energy storagemodule of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a weight of the fire extinguishingagent in the extinguisher sheet to a total weight of the extinguishersheet is from 30% to 50%.
 8. The energy storage module of claim 1,wherein an amount of the fire extinguishing agent in the extinguishersheet is from 0.12 g/cm³ to 0.82 g/cm³.
 9. The energy storage module ofclaim 1, wherein the top cover further comprises an inclined part havinga thickness increasing toward a corresponding protrusion part of theprotrusion parts in the exhaust area.
 10. The energy storage module ofclaim 9, wherein a top end of the corresponding duct is lower than theinclined part.
 11. The energy storage module of claim 9, wherein a spaceis defined between the corresponding duct and the correspondingprotrusion part, and a gas discharged from the vent passes through thecorresponding duct to be discharged to the space through the inclinedpart.
 12. The energy storage module of claim 1, wherein thecorresponding duct has an inner diameter decreasing upward.
 13. Theenergy storage module of claim 1, wherein a portion of the exhaust areaextends into an interior of the ducts.
 14. The energy storage module ofclaim 1, wherein the exhaust area has a smaller thickness than the topcover.
 15. The energy storage module of claim 1, wherein the exhaustarea protrudes downwardly from the top cover.
 16. The energy storagemodule of claim 1, wherein an area of the discharge holes is greaterthan or equal to about 30% of that of the exhaust area.